Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder Claims Unilever Halted Pro-Palestinian Ice Cream Flavor

The co-founders of the famous ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's has claimed that parent company the multinational conglomerate prevented the introduction of an innovative Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

Ben Cohen, that established the company alongside his partner, disclosed that he will personally create this new flavor as part of a personal collection highlighting issues the company has been prevented from speaking out about.

Ongoing Dispute Involving Creators and Corporate Owner

This latest announcement intensifies the continuing conflict among the internationally recognized dessert company and its corporate parent, the British consumer goods giant which acquired Ben & Jerry's for over two decades.

The co-founders have asserted how Unilever along with its ice cream arm Magnum unlawfully blocked Ben & Jerry's from "maintaining its activist principles".

Watermelon Sorbet as an Emblem for Support

Mr. Cohen stated via an Instagram video that he's developing a new watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, requesting consumer ideas for naming options and potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they couldn't,” Mr. Cohen declared in a cooking set. “I'm making a watermelon-based ice cream that advocates for lasting ceasefire for Palestinians while demanding addressing the harm that was done there.”

This particular fruit has become a symbol of support for Palestinians due to its coloration, that closely resemble the colors in Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Social Engagement plus Recent Changes

Several years ago, Ben & Jerry's ceased sales of their merchandise in territories occupied by Israel, leading to the parent company transferring their Israel business to an Israeli distributor, thus allowing continued sales in the occupied West Bank.

The new dessert series is being developed under Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious dessert company which originally created in 2016 to support former political contender Senator Sanders via the flavor "Bernie's Back".

Leadership Changes plus Future Plans

The founder indicated that he plans to develop other ice cream flavors focusing on issues that Ben & Jerry's was prevented from speaking about openly due to Unilever.

This development comes after partner Mr. Greenfield stepped down his position at Ben & Jerry's in September, after many years of involvement, citing worries regarding how the company's autonomy was undermined following corporate moves to curb their advocacy work.

At that time, Mr. Cohen commented that "Jerry has strong compassion and the ongoing dispute with Unilever was breaking it."

"My heart compels me to continue to work within the organization to advocate for its independence ensuring that the company can achieve the social mission, the principles that it was founded on while upholding for over 40 years," he told journalists.

• Parent company restrictions on political advocacy
• Independent flavor creation by company founders
• Watermelon flavor serving as political symbol
• Continuing disagreements among parent company versus social mission